Weekly Reading: Chapters 12-14

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Good morning and welcome back to episode seven of Tip Lewis and His Lamp!

We are halfway through our series already (where did the time go?)! Today, Tip Lewis has just been given the joyous news that he has proven himself a good scholar and can move up a grade.

“It was that very morning, standing in that room before the blackboard, with his toe on the third crack from the wall, that Tip resolved to have an education.”

Tip is growing! However, with this unexpected surge of growth comes unexpected trials. Tip is too “bad” for the good kids and too “good” for the bad kids. Even his old friend Bob Turner won’t talk to him anymore—a fact Tip doesn’t much regret.

Noble Howard Minturn steps onto the stage and extends to the friendless boy a warm invitation to his grand birthday party. Tip accepts with pleasure! What follows is the sort of day boys dream about. Snowball fights, fort building, rolling in the snow, skating, and sledding; all had their place. All was fun and games, that is until a careless joke turns everything upside down.

Worn out from their efforts in the snow, the boys turn back to the house, eager to warm up by the great fire within. Ellis, the top scholar and leader of the boys, runs towards the little gate.

“Ellis, take the wide gate instead as it has less snow covering the path,” yells Howard.

“I must’ve been thinking of yesterday’s Sunday school lesson,” laughed clever Ellis. “‘Enter ye in at the straight gate.’”

The jesting continues, escalating to scornful laughter, prideful boasting, and boisterous insults.

Tip, meantime, stands apart flushed and silent. He remembers well the Sunday School lesson—and the solemn tone Mr. Holbrook had used. The contrast between the minister’s solemn words and the foolish jesting was stark indeed. Does Tip speak or remain silent?

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. But immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks” (Eph. 5:1-4).

“Be not ye therefore partakers with them” (Eph. 5:7).

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph 5:11).

“To him that knoweth to good and doeth it not, to him it is a sin” (James 4:17).

What inner turmoil Tip faces! Transport yourself for a moment. Imagine yourself in this, or a similar scenario where God is asking you to speak truth. Maybe your friends are gossiping, speaking unkindly, or telling an off-colored joke. You know that you need to say something, but you are unsure how they will receive it. This is the moment of truth for you—will you speak or remain silent?

The resolve is on the tip of your tongue, but your heart throbs with a booming sound in your ears. Every time you start to speak, the words get caught in your throat, and you stare at the ground. Every second that ticks by is a constant reminder of what every fiber of your being is impelling you to do. It is not easy to speak the truth to those with whom you so badly want to be friends.

Will you take the easy way out, thinking to yourself, “It doesn’t matter, everyone does it,” or worse—“it’s not that bad”?

For Tip, there is no other choice. With unrestrained resolve he counts the reputation of his Lamp more important than inclusion with his new friends. He boldly speaks the truth, regardless of what may follow.

How does it go? Well, Tip is cast in a bad light and seen as unfit for his new self-imposed position of authority. Humiliated but not cast down entirely, Tip commits himself to Him who judges righteously.

That night, as the boys swap humorous stories, Tip’s stand for truth is brought to the light by none other than Mr. Minturn—Howards’ father. Although he commends Tip for his good conduct, he has a severe lesson in store for the rest of the boys. His insertion into the narrative reminds me of 2nd Chronicles 16:9,

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

God saw and rewarded Tip’s actions through Mr. Minturn’s encouraging words. Little did Mr. Minturn know the effect his words would have upon that young, impressionable heart. For, as,

“Tip took his cap and walked out alone in the cold, clear starlight, he felt quiet and strong. It was done at last—he had taken his stand before the boys—had ‘shown his colors.’ They all knew now that he was trying hard, and Who was helping him. Things must surely be different after this, forever.”

I can’t think of a better way to draw these chapters to a close!

Now, my friends, as we head out into this week, may we remember the lesson of Tip Lewis—that, no matter what we may face, the Lord sees and hears. He knows how to minister to the deepest needs of our hearts. He will reward—if we endure.

Thank you for joining us for another episode of Character in Crisis!

It has been a delight,